Prime Minister Mossadegh and Ayatullah Kashani from Unity to Enmity: As Viewed from the American Embassy in Tehran, June 1950-August 1953
Abstract
This report studies the strains inherent to Iranian secular-religious union as highlighted in the early 1950s by the political relationship between the top leaders of Iran, Dr Mossadegh and Ayatullah Kashani. The narrative of their relationship begins in June 1950 with their initial unity of purpose, a nationalist, anti-imperialist alliance which overwhelmed all other political forces to take control of the government and British oil concessions in Iran. Western resistance to their government ensued and internal opposition slowly increased. The story continues through stages of economic and political deterioration until Kashani turned on his partner and assisted U.S., British, and the Shah's covert operators in ousting Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1953. State Department Decimal Files are used to present the American perspective of the political alliance between Dr Mossadegh and Ayatullah Kashani. Other scholarly views are used when the evidence parallels the American views or fills in historical data. By using this methodology, the stages in the rise and fall of Mossadegh's regime are quite discernible and directly contingent on the viability of the Mossadegh-Kashani relationship. In essence, this study is also primarily a comment on American intelligence assessments and the mechanics of intervention in Iranian affairs which analyzed and exploited the differences between the two leaders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA239339
Entities
People
- Wolfgang K. Kressin
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology